Posts by Morag Bootland
Me and My Dram, Tom Kitchin: ‘You have to be in the right moment to enjoy whisky, that’s the magic of it’
Following a rocky start, celebrity chef Tom Kitchin has fostered an enduring love for whisky, finds Morag Bootland. He sits down with us for the latest issue of Cask & Still. Do you enjoy whisky? Absolutely. I enjoy whisky, but I don’t think it was something that came automatically. I think I learned to enjoy whisky.…
Read MoreHolyrood Distillery launch Embra: a new peated dram
Holyrood Distillery has launched its 2nd single malt whisky, Embra, setting the stage for an exploration into peated whisky. Embra is the first in a series of single malt whiskies set to release in 2024, with each expression designed to demonstrate the independent distillery’s creativity and barrier breaking approach to whisky making. Distillery Manager, Calum Rae,…
Read MoreLazy Sundays at Le Petit Beefbar
Morag Bootland relaxes over a leisurely Sunday roast accompanied by soothing live jazz at Le Petit Beefbar on Edinburgh’s George Street. Edinburgh is in the throes of a happy hangover as we wander along George Street on a crisp Sunday afternoon. The city has witnessed an historic triumph at Murrayfield stadium as the Scottish rugby…
Read MoreSearching for Sugarlandia – The Philippines with Don Papa Rum
I’ve always been captivated by the stories behind Scotland’s whiskies. Tales of illicit stills, brave pioneers, families working together and on occasion tearing each other apart, have always been whispered on the wind that sways the fields of barley and in the rushing rivers that provide the crystal-clear water that make Scotch whisky. Today, they…
Read MoreVilnius: A city of lights
Be honest. Do you know where Vilnius is? It’s a question that the people charged with promoting this beautiful and historic city are asking potential visitors. And it seems that far too often the answer is still no. But why should you know? What is it that makes the capital of Lithuania worthy of your…
Read MoreSleeping Beauty Salon unleashes the power of nature with IMAGE Skincare
Tucked away on a quiet street just a minute from the hustle and bustle of the West End of Princes Street, the Sleeping Beauty salon on Edinburgh’s Alva Street is a very welcome port in what is a typically Scottish storm. The rain is annoyingly persistent and the wind is utterly relentless as I bluster…
Read MoreYour GP open new practice in Edinburgh city centre
Getting an appointment to see a GP isn’t always easy. And a shift in many people’s thinking on what makes for good healthcare and wellbeing post-pandemic, has seen an increase in private GP practices opening their doors. YourGP in Edinburgh is one such practice. Established in 2003 in Dean Village, YourGP has recently expanded onto…
Read MoreA relaxing new facial workout at Escape Medispa
Baby, it’s cold outside. Battling the wintry weather takes its toll on mind and body. So, an invitation to try out Jovena’s new FACESTIM treatment at Escape Medispa just outside Edinburgh was most welcome. This was my second visit to Escape Medispa by Linlithgow, so I knew that a treatment here came without the stress…
Read MoreThe Three Chimneys Seafood & Game Masterclass
I’m driving through some of the most incredible scenery in Scotland, and I’m torn. I want to reach The Three Chimneys before darkness falls, so I’m racing the gloaming. But the glorious light of golden hour on the Isle of Skye is bathing her landscapes, making them even more irresistible and just begging to be…
Read MoreDiscover the dark skies of Dumfries in style
THERE’S got to be some advantages to short days and a surfeit of darkness, right? Taking full advantage of Scotland’s long winter nights feels a wee bit like the old adage, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. With this in mind, a trip to Dumfries and Galloway, home to the UK’s only Dark Sky…
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